Novelty Child Toy

ABSTRACT

A child novelty toy device is provided for use spreading “fairy dust” in the form of granular salt or sand particles from the device interior. The device comprises a toy wand or sword structure having a salt dispensing means and a two-part, hollow construction wherein a first member is slidably engaged within a second member. The first member comprises an open interior and a sidewall structure having a plurality of apertures therealong for dispensing salt stored therewithin. The second member slides over the first member and shrouds the apertures until salt dispensing is desired. The sliding members form either a wand-like structure or a sword-like structure having a handle and a pointed end. The device is utilized to act out narratives wherein a child is capable spreading magical “dust” from the device during play time or prior to bed time.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/713,917 filed on Oct. 15, 2012, entitled “Sleep Tight.” The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to salt dispensers, child imagination games, and comforting methods. More specifically, the present invention pertains to a salt-dispensing structure whose primary purpose is to deploy salt therefrom to simulate spreading of “fairy dust” for imagination and child enjoyment purposes.

Children and infants have strong imaginations that enable them to learn and to play. This imagination aides in a child's cognitive development, and also is a strong psychological tool for energizing and occupying their minds as they act out fantasy situations. A common pretend situation is acting out favorite play characters from television. The child can create a situation and act out a narrative related to the story for amusement and entertainment purposes.

Along with use as an entertainment mechanism, a child's imagination can be utilized for comfort purposes and for making a child feel safe when they feel anxiety or fear. Many times a parent or caregiver will give a child a specific toy or doll to sleep with, or engage in a specific routine with the child prior to putting the child to bed. This routine or use of a toy allows the child to feel safe when going to bed, wherein an imaginary force or “protector” is employed as a mechanism to overcome fear. This need for a mechanism generally ends with time, but for a period of time, dolls and novelty toys serve a useful mechanism for calming a child and facilitating “bed time”. The use of a toy or routine is a useful distraction that engages a child's imagination, reducing stress on the child and the caregiver at night and prior to nap periods.

The present invention pertains to a child's play toy and a novelty item that a child is utilized for spreading play “magic dust” or “fairy dust”. The device comprises a wand or sword structure having a fillable internal volume of granular material, such as a salt or sand, wherein a plurality of apertures are provided therealong such that the material can escape and be spread over an area. The material is pretended to be “magic dust” or “fairy dust” for the child, where the child can act out a narrative or be comforted prior to bed by the spread of “magical protective dust” for comfort. The device itself comprises a two-part construction having a first member for supporting the granular material and a second member for controlling distribution of the material through apertures along the first member as the two members are placed in a sliding, telescopic relationship with respect to one another.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Devices have been disclosed in the prior art that relate to salt shaker devices and to child play toys. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications, and generally relate to either a child toy or a decorative salt shaker. The present invention provides a new particular shaker and novelty toy that allows for use as a child play toy. The following is a list of devices deemed most relevant to the present disclosure, which are herein described for the purposes of highlighting and differentiating the unique aspects of the present invention, and further highlighting the drawbacks existing in the prior art.

One such device is U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,032 to Davis, which discloses a toy wand for use as a child's toy. The wand comprises a tubular body having a battery case and an illuminated distal end. A plurality of flower-like strips is disposed along the distal end, whereby the strips are translucent to allow light from the light source to penetrate therethrough. A child can switch on the light source such that the wand is visible in darkened areas for play purposes. The Davis device, while disclosing a lighted wand and child toy, fails to disclose the novel aspects of the present invention. Similar devices to the Davis device exist in the prior art, including different wand and sword structures, however none provide a means of spreading granular material for play pretend purposes and for spreading “magic dust”, as provided by the present invention.

Similar to the Davis device, U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,728 to Holt discloses a toy wand for use by a child that includes a motion detector and a light source to display a given lighting display or pattern based on movements of the wand. The device allows the child to move the wand during a “spell”, while the wand light source illuminates a given color or in a given sequence based on the motion of the wand tip. The Holt device comprises an electrical system that can interpret motion and provide a specific output, which is both amusing and very exciting for a child. The present invention, by contrast, is directed to the spread of granular “fairy dust” or “magic dust” rather than to providing a light display.

Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,842 to Gulmesoff discloses a toy sword device having a contact indicator for alerting a user when the sword tip has contacted another. The device comprises a sword body having an inner volume, an open distal end, and a handled proximal end. The distal end supports a sword tip that is slidably disposed within the sword body. The sword tip is further connected to an electrical indicator within the sword body such that when the sword tip is depressed into the sword body, an electrical indicator is activated in the form of an auditory or visual signal. While disclosing a sword device having a telescopic structure for play purposes, the Gulmesoff device fails to disclose a sword or wand device for dispensing granular material during period of play for a child.

The devices in the prior art include sword and wand play toys having various constructions and additional features. It is submitted that none of the related devices in the prior art include a means of dispensing a granular “dust” material for play purposes. The present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the prior art, and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing child novelty toy devices for play purposes and for comforting purposes. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of child novelty toys now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new novelty wand or sword device that can be utilized for providing convenience for the user when being utilized to spread magical “dust” for play and comforting purposes.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved child novelty toy device that has all of the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a child novelty toy device that accepts a quantity of granular material therein for use as “magic dust” or “fairy dust”, wherein the device acts as a tool for dispensing the granular material during playtime.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a child novelty toy device that includes a telescoping first and second member, wherein the second member regulates the number of exposed apertures and thus the flow rate of granular material from the first member interior.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a child novelty toy device that resembles either a wand or sword, wherein the device functions as a novelty play item.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a child novelty toy device that can act as a play toy or an item utilized as a means of comfort, wherein a child's imagination is utilized to act out a narrative or as a means to comfort the child prior to bed time.

A final object of the present invention is to provide a child novelty toy device that is of relatively simple construction, providing a readily manufacturable toy and one that can be distributed at a reasonable cost to consumers.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the wand embodiment of the present novelty toy device.

FIG. 2 shows the wand embodiment of the present invention separated and receiving granular material therein.

FIG. 3 shows a view of the wand embodiment being utilized to dispense the granular material.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the sword embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the child novelty toy device. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a playtime or comfort toy for a child. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of the wand embodiment 10 of the novelty toy of the present invention. The device comprises a first 11 and second 12 member in slidable and telescopic relation to one another such that the first member 11 is slidable from the interior of the second member 12. Each of the members 11, 12 of the wand embodiment 10 comprises a hollow, cylindrical body having a proximal end and a distal end. The first member 11 distal end 15 is enclosed and its proximal end 16 is open, whereby granular material is adapted to be added to the interior of the first member 11 through its proximal end 16. The second member 12 comprises a closed proximal end 13 and an open distal end 17, whereby the second member distal end 17 is adapted to accept the first member 11 therethrough and into the second member interior.

The device is adapted to resemble a magical wand, wherein the device can be wielded to deploy granular material therefrom. The granular material can be imagined to be “magic dust” or “fairy dust”, wherein the child can actually see the material being dispensed rather than relying on pure imagination. To release the material, the first member 11 is withdrawn from the second member 12 to expose a plurality of apertures along the first member through which the granular material exits the assembly. A small loop or pull handle 14 may be provided along the distal end 15 of the first member 11 to facilitate separation.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a view of the wand embodiment of the present invention separated and being filled by a granular material 31. The first 11 and second 12 members are separable from one another, whereby the first member 11 open proximal end 16 is exposed for refilling the device with the granular material 31. The material 31 may comprise a salt, sand, or similar granular structure that is suitable for use by a child, whereby a container 30 thereof can be used to pour the material into the device first member 11.

Along a portion of the first member 11 is a plurality of apertures 20 that are adapted to allow communication of the granular material 31 from within the first member interior therethrough. The apertures are sized such that salt or sand can escape with light movement of the wand, rather than a constant stream thereof. Once the material 31 has been entered into the first member 11, the apertures 30 can be metered by placement of the second member 12 thereover. The members are operably separated to expose a given number of apertures 20, thus controlling the flow of material 31 therefrom.

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown a view of the wand embodiment of the present invention in a working state, spreading “magic” material 31 during an imaginary game or setting. The apertures 20 in the first member 11 allow the material 31 to pass therethrough as the first member is exposed from the interior of the second member 12 and the assembly is gently shaken to assist the material through the apertures. During this period, a child can wield the wand and act as if he or she is spreading “magic dust” or “fairy dust” in an imaginative narrative or during a pre-bedtime ritual. It has been shown that the present invention is an effective tool for soothing a child's anxiety and allowing the child to be comforted by the thought of being protected by “magic dust” prior to sleep. Once the spreading activity has ceased, the remaining material can be retained within the device interior as the members are collapsed into one another. The ends 15, 13 of the device retain the material while the apertures are covered to prevent leakage therefrom.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown an alternate embodiment of the present invention, wherein the device is in the shape of a sword 50 rather than a simple wand. In this embodiment, the structure of the assembly remains largely unchanged, except the proximal end 13 of the second member 12 includes an elongated handle 40 that has the appearance of a sword handle. Similarly, the distal end 15 of the first member 11 includes a pointed tip such that the end of the device opposite the handle 40 resembles the tip of a sword. The first member 11 is withdrawn from the second member 12 to expose the granular material apertures 20 along the first member 11, which allows for the material to be dispensed therefrom during playtime activities.

In either embodiment of the present invention, it is not desired to limit the shape of the device to a specific geometry (e.g. cylindrical), but rather it is desired to disclose a functional toy that facilitates the spreading of granular material that can be imagined as “magic dust” for either child enjoyment or for child comforting purposes. The material may be a salt or sand material, or any other suitable material that can be dispensed through the apertures and that is not hazardous to a child's health.

Overall, the device provides a novelty toy for child enjoyment during playtime or for comforting the child prior to bedtime. During playtime, the device can be used indoors or outdoors as the child acts as a sorcerer, a wizard, fairy, or similar character that traditionally utilized a wand, or likewise a price if the sword embodiment is deployed. For comforting purposes, it is recognized that many children suffer from nightmares, fear of the dark or other nighttime anxiety that creates trouble falling sleeping and being comfortable in the dark prior to sleep. Parents may attempt to spark these children's imaginations or create make-believe characters or concepts to put the kids' minds at ease and help them sleep. Children may have difficulty finding comfort in such fantasies without a tangible item to connect to that idea. The use of a “magic” wand to ward away bad spirits, etc., has been shown to be an effective tool for calming and comforting a child prior to sleep. The present invention provides children and parents with a fun novelty item to use before bedtime that can comfort children who may otherwise be afraid of the dark or have other nighttime anxieties.

It is submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A child novelty toy, comprising: a first member having an elongated body, an open proximal end, a closed distal end, and a hollow interior; a second member having an elongated body, a closed proximal end, an open distal end, and a hollow interior; said second member sized to accept said first member through said open distal end such that said members are in a sliding, telescopic, and removable relationship to one another; said first member having a plurality of apertures along said elongated body, wherein said apertures are adapted to communicate granular material therethrough. 2) The device of claim 1, wherein said elongated body of said first member and said second member are cylindrical. 3) The device of claim 1, further comprising: a sword handled extending from said second member proximal end; a sword tip extending from said first member distal end. 